After coming to Advanced subscribers a month ago, Gemini Live is now starting to roll out to free users on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is now rolling out Gemini Live to free users on Android
Author
Send tips/talk to abner@9to5mac.com or @technacity (open DMs).
Abner Li has worked at 9to5Google since 2015 and in late 2020 took on the role of editor-in-chief. He is keenly focused on tracking what happens at Google, and is often the first to spot new features in Google’s ever-growing family of applications that are updated on a daily basis, including Search, Assistant, Maps, Workspace, Android, Chrome/OS, Wear OS, and YouTube Music.
To him, what Google does greatly impacts the technology space and modern life. Inside the company, he is particularly interested in the key products mentioned above, as well as services like Google Podcasts and Google Lens. Each are massive platforms that can be unwieldy to grasp, with Abner keenly bent on understanding their philosophy and future direction. He is most excited about Google’s plans for augmented reality glasses.
Abner spearheads the APK Insight program at 9to5Google to chronicle all changes in the company’s Android apps, often finding new features before they are officially announced. This includes redesigns and revamps, launches, and new products.
A big area of interest is Google’s hardware division, including Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. He detailed all of the Pixel 3’s camera features before launch and scooped the 2nd-generation Nest Hub’s Soli-powered Sleep Sensing capability, including how it would integrate with Google Fit.
Recently, Abner detailed the Pixel Watch’s specs in full before launch, including bands and pricing. He also got wind of the Pixel Tablet’s ultimate form factor.
Google Wallet will let you make digital IDs with US passports, 3 more state IDs coming
Google Wallet is getting the ability to digitize your US passport as an alternative to waiting for each state to add digital ID support.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit rolling out free & updated daily readiness score to watches, trackers
With the launch of the Pixel Watch 3, Google made the daily readiness score free after previously requiring a Fitbit Premium subscription. This is now rolling out to older smartwatches and trackers with some updates to how it’s calculated.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini might redesign its homepage, adds Gems to mobile app
Following the desktop launch last month, Gems are now available in the mobile app, while there might be a Gemini homepage redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseNotebookLM’s new ‘Audio Overview’ turns your notes into a mini podcast
As previewed at I/O 2024 in May, NotebookLM is rolling out an “Audio Overview” feature that turns your documents, slides, and charts into “engaging audio discussions.”
Expand Expanding CloseHow Google arrived at Pixel Watch 3’s 24-hour battery life and 36-hour Battery Saver
Like last year, Google is still touting 24 hours of battery life on the Pixel Watch 3, and this is how it arrived at that figure.
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Google Messages is #1 on Play Store top charts with Samsung push [U]
In recent weeks, users on older Samsung Galaxy phones have been prompted to switch to Google Messages, which has resulted in the app moving up the Play Store’s top chart.
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A better look at the Pixel 9 Pro vapor chamber
At Made by Google 2024, Google provided a brief glance (as seen above) of the vapor chamber on the Pixel 9 Pro series, and we now have a better look at it.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music’s AI radio is officially called ‘Ask Music’
“Ask Music” is the name of the AI prompt-based conversational radio in YouTube Music, and it’s seeing wider availability, including internationally, in recent weeks.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolls out Tab Groups to Chrome for iPhone and iPad
Chrome Tab Groups can already be saved across signed-in desktops, but Google will soon sync them with your mobile devices. Meanwhile, Tabs Groups are now available on iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Chromecast with Google TV update rolling out
Ahead of the Google TV Streamer launching later this month, the next Chromecast with Google TV update (July 2024) is rolling out. While Google is no longer manufacturing new dongles, they will remain on sale until inventory runs out, while software updates continue.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Camera 9.5 for Wear OS rolling out: Viewfinder redesign, watch face shortcut
Google is rolling out Pixel Camera 9.5 for Wear OS beyond the Pixel Watch 3 with a handful of usability updates.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages RCS message editing more widely rolling out
At the end of May, Google Messages officially announced the ability to edit RCS messages, and editing is now finally seeing wider availability.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle posts Pixel Watch 3 ‘solios’ & ‘seluna’ factory images
Ahead of the launch tomorrow, Google has released factory images for the Pixel Watch 3.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch 3 (41mm) review: Just enough screen, more than enough Fitbit
As an avowed lover of small watches, Google’s decision to start at 41mm in 2022 has been ideal. However, towards the end of my time with the Pixel Watch 2, the thick bezels around the screen started to feel constraining and just plain old. The Pixel Watch 3 (41mm) came just in time to remedy that, while really emphasizing its Fitbit DNA.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle app tests customizable shortcut in Search widget
Back in August, the Google app’s Search bar widget on Android was updated with Dynamic Color but at the expense of other options being removed, and a customizable shortcut is now being tested.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music rolling out artist page redesign [U]
After Mark as played for podcast episodes and Sound Search, YouTube Music is rolling out a redesign of artist pages on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Thermometer rolling out body temperature support in Europe [U]
At the start of this year, Google added body temperature support to the Pixel Thermometer app in the US, with an expansion to Europe now set to arrive.
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Google sent out €100 Pixel Watch 3 discount codes in Europe
For some in Europe, Google has emailed a €100 discount code for the Pixel Watch 3.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch 3 delivered early for more than a few people
The Pixel Watch 3 officially launches on September 10, but more than a few people in the US have received theirs already or are getting them a day or two early.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet for Android gets new edge-to-edge video UI
Last month, Google announced that it would be upgrading the personal video calling experience in Meet, and a new UI for everyone is now rolled out on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages might change the RCS status indicator
There are a handful of ways that Google Messages on Android signals you’re having an RCS conversation, and the app is now testing a small change to the primary indicator.
Expand Expanding CloseKudos, Pixel Weather, on a job… successfully done
With the Pixel 9 series, Google finally offers a standalone Weather app. All-in-all, it’s pretty good, and I hope there’s more on the way.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Advanced members can give friends a 4-month trial
Gemini Advanced today is letting users give out three 4-month trials to the subscription.
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